Communication devices and methods with beamforming training

ABSTRACT

A communication device ( 1 ) for RF-based communication with another communication device ( 2 ) comprises an antenna circuitry ( 10 ) configured to transmit and receive RF signals and beamforming circuitry ( 11 ) configured to perform beamforming and to control the antenna circuitry in a beamforming training phase to transmit and/or receive RF signals using one or more selected directive beams. The beamforming circuitry ( 11 ) is configured to perform beamforming training by controlling the antenna circuitry
     i) to transmit data using at least one first directive transmit beam, wherein the other communication device ( 2 ) is configured to listen using a first directive receive beam, said data including a second transmit beam information, and   ii) to subsequently listen using a predetermined second directive receive beam for a response from the other communication device ( 2 ), which is configured to transmit, if the data transmitted in step i) have been received, a response using a second directive transmit beam indicated by the second transmit beam information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/343,409, filed Apr. 19, 2019, which is based on PCT filing PCT/EP2017/077655, filed Oct. 27, 2017 which claims priority to EP 16 195 985.3 filed on Oct. 27, 2016, the entire contents of each are incorporated herein by reference. This disclosure is also related to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 16/343,416, (Attorney Docket Number 12416US01) which is entitled “COMMUNICATION DEVICES AND METHODS WITH BEAM FORMING TRAINING” filed Apr. 19, 2019, which is also incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to different communication devices, such as a mobile station and an access point, which are configured for RF-based communication with each other. The present disclosure further relates to corresponding communication methods.

Description of Related Art

Communication systems in the 60 GHz frequency range suffer from strong free space path loss, which increases with frequency. For instance, a 60 GHz communication system has roughly 22 dB higher attenuation compared to a communication system operating at 5 GHz. To overcome the increased path loss, 60 GHz or any mmWave communication system employs beamforming, i.e. transmitter and/or receiver feature a steerable phased-array antenna (PAA), which can form directive beams towards the other communication device. Such beams have typically a high directivity and are spatially very narrow. The directivity in main direction increases with the number of antenna elements per PAA. In contrast, the half-power beam width (HPBW) defines the spatial width of a pattern decreases with increasing number of antennas. Thus, the more antennas per PAA, the higher the directivity and the smaller the HPBW. In order to make use of the PAA directivity for communications, beam alignment is crucial and of high importance for mmWave communication systems and RF communication systems, methods and devices in general.

There is a need in such communication systems to yield higher antenna gain in an association phase, thus increasing the AP coverage and enabling long-range association and data transmission. Furthermore, it is desired to reduce the collision probability among STAs (first communication devices) during association phase.

The “background” description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventor(s), to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

It is an object to provide communication devices and corresponding communication methods yielding a higher antenna gain, enabling long-range association and data transmission, and/or reducing the collision probability in association phase.

According to an aspect there is provided a (first) communication device comprising an antenna circuitry configured to transmit and receive RF signals, and a beamforming circuitry configured to perform beamforming and to control the antenna circuitry in a beamforming training phase to transmit and/or receive RF signals using one or more selected directive beams, wherein the beamforming circuitry is configured to perform beamforming training by controlling the antenna circuitry

-   -   i) to transmit data using at least one first directive transmit         beam, wherein the other communication device is configured to         listen using a first directive receive beam, said data including         a second transmit beam information, and     -   ii) to subsequently listen using a predetermined second         directive receive beam for a response from the other         communication device, which is configured to transmit, if the         data transmitted in step i) have been received, a response using         a second directive transmit beam indicated by the second         transmit beam information.

According to a further aspect there is provided a (second) communication device comprising

-   -   an antenna circuitry configured to transmit and receive RF         signals, a beamforming circuitry configured to perform         beamforming and to control the antenna circuitry, in a         beamforming training phase, to transmit and/or receive RF         signals using one or more selected directive beams, wherein the         beamforming circuitry is configured to perform beamforming         training by controlling the antenna circuitry     -   i) to listen using a first directive receive beam for data         transmitted by the other communication device using at least one         first directive transmit beam, said data including a second         transmit beam information, and     -   ii) to subsequently transmit, if the data transmitted in step i)         have been received, a response using a second directive transmit         beam indicated by the second transmit beam information, wherein         the other communication device is configured to listen using a         predetermined second directive receive beam.

According to still further aspects corresponding communication methods, a computer program comprising program means for causing a computer to carry out the steps of the methods disclosed herein, when said computer program is carried out on a computer, as well as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium that stores therein a computer program product, which, when executed by a processor, causes the methods disclosed herein to be performed are provided.

Embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. It shall be understood that the disclosed methods, the disclosed computer program and the disclosed computer-readable recording medium have similar and/or identical further embodiments as the claimed devices and as defined in the dependent claims and/or disclosed herein.

One of the aspects of the disclosure is to provide association beamforming training, which applies directive beams on least the second communication device (AP), preferably on both communication devices (AP and STA). This yields an increase in link budget during the association phase, which can be exploited to extend association range, i.e. long range association beamforming training. Thus, first communication devices being far away from the second communication device can discover and join the basic service set (BSS) of that second communication device. Further, it is proposed to modify channel access during the association beamforming training if reciprocity can be assumed. This reduces the collision probability between first communication devices by exploiting their inherent spatial beam separation.

In the following, the terminology of WLAN systems is used, i.e. there is a station (STA) as an example of a first communication device and a single central network access point (AP) or personal basic service set control point (PCP) (generally referred to as AP herein; WLAN terminology sometimes uses the abbreviation PCP/AP) as an example of a second communication device, wherein the first and second communication devices may also be called transmitter and receiver. Both communication devices intend to exchange data wirelessly in the 60 GHz (mmWave) frequency band. However, this disclosure is applicable to any other RF communication system employing beamforming such as mmWave LTE.

The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The described embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system including first and second communication devices;

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a transmission interval as described in IEEE802.11ad;

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of conventional association beamforming training;

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of a beacon transmission interval;

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a first embodiment of association beamforming training with a single STA;

FIG. 6 shows a diagram of a second embodiment of association beamforming training with a two STAs;

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of a third embodiment of association beamforming training with a two STAs employing reciprocity;

FIG. 8 shows a diagram of a Beacon Interval Control Field;

FIG. 9 shows a diagram of beacon frame body structure;

FIG. 10 shows a diagram of a simple association beamforming control field; and

FIG. 11 shows a diagram of an advanced association beamforming control field.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system including first communication devices 1, 3 (stations STA1, STA2) and a second communication device 2 (an access point AP). Each of the first communication devices 1, 3 comprises an antenna circuitry (sometimes also called antenna unit) 10, 30 configured to transmit and receive RF signals, and a beamforming circuitry (sometimes also called beamforming unit) 11, 31 configured to perform beamforming and to control its antenna circuitry 10, 30. Similarly, the second communication devices 2 comprises an antenna circuitry 20 configured to transmit and receive RF signals, and a beamforming circuitry 21 configured to perform beamforming and to control its antenna circuitry 20. More details of their operation will be described below.

Communication systems in the 60 GHz frequency range suffer from strong free space path loss a_(fs) which increases with frequency:

a _(fs) [dB]=−147.55 dB+20 log₁₀ f+20 log₁₀ d

This formula above gives the free space path loss in dB as a function of frequency f and link distance d. Apparently, a 60 GHz communication system has roughly 22 dB higher attenuation compared to a communication system operating at 5 GHz.

To overcome the increased path loss, 60 GHz or any mmWave communication system employs beamforming, i.e. transmitter and/or receiver feature an antenna circuitry, e.g. a steerable phased-array antenna (PAA), which can form directive beams towards the another communication device. Such beams have typically a high directivity and are spatially very narrow. The directivity in main direction increases with the number of antenna elements per PAA. In contrast, the half-power beam width (HPBW) defines the spatial width of a pattern decreases with increasing number of antennas. Thus, the more antennas per PAA, the higher the directivity and the smaller the HPBW. In order to make use of the PAA directivity for communications, beam alignment is crucial and of high importance for mmWave communication systems.

In the following description of exemplary embodiments, the terminology of WLAN system will be used, i.e. there is a station (STA) and a single central network access point (AP) or personal basic service set control point (PCP), i.e. the term AP as used herein shall be understood generally to reference either an AP or a PCP (also referenced as PCT/AP sometimes in WLAN terminology). Both intend to exchange data wirelessly in e.g. the 60 GHz (mmWave) frequency band. However, this disclosure is not limited to this frequency band, but is applicable to any other communication system employing beamforming such as mmWave LTE for example.

This disclosure particularly addresses the association phase (also called beamforming training phase or association beamforming training phase) during which STAs discover and associate to an AP. This phase is in particular challenging since initial beam alignment needs to be performed.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a transmission interval as described in IEEE802.11ad. The beacon interval (BI) is continuously repeated and the beacon header interval (BHI) holds all phases with respect to association. The actual data transfer occurs in data transmission interval (DTI). Since it is desired to keep DTI long compared to the BHI, the association beamforming training (A-BFT) phase and the announcement transmission interval (ATI) in BHI can be occasionally turned off, which is indicated in beacon frames sent during BTI.

Generally, according to IEEE802.11ad during a beacon transmission interval (BTI), the AP transmits identification data over various directive beams which have their main directivity in different spatial directions. An STA listens to the medium, e.g. with an (quasi) omni-directional (also called “quasi-omni” hereinafter) or wide beam antenna, i.e. no directive pattern is applied. Once a STA receives the AP identification data, it remembers the sector ID which has been applied for this message. Furthermore, it (e.g. randomly) chooses a time slot to transmit in the opposite direction (STA->AP) during association beamforming training (A-BFT) phase which follows subsequently to the BTI. In A-BFT, the STA transmits data with various directive beams to the AP, which listens with an (quasi) omni-directional antenna. The STA transmit data holds the best sector ID of the previous BTI. When the STA stops transmitting and the AP successfully received at least one message, the AP confirms reception including the STA sector which was received in best quality (e.g. highest SNR). This message is transmitted via the beam corresponding to the best sector ID indicated in previous A-BFT phase. The actual association procedure takes place in the following announcement transmission interval (ATI). In the ATI, the best beams indicated by best sector IDs of BTI and A-BFT are employed.

In A-BFT, several STAs can compete for channel access. Therefore, the A-BFT is split in serval slots as depicted in FIG. 3, which shows a diagram of conventional association beamforming training. Here, the A-BFT is exemplarily split in 4 slots where STAs can respond. STAs which would like to associate with the AP choose randomly a single slot. This reduces the likelihood of a collision. In case a collision happens, the AP is able to detect and it avoids sending the SSW feedback frame which is a reception confirmation. In case the SSW feedback is sent, it holds information about the best transmit sector ID of the STA. STAs not receiving the SSW feedback choose randomly a further A-BFT slot which could be even in an upcoming BI. The actual sweep of different antenna sectors within a single A-BFT slot is done in the SSW frames. Each SSW frame is transmitted with a distinct antenna sector which has a sector ID label indicated within the same SSW frame.

The above described operation has the drawback that association happens in directive-to-omni (D2O) mode which allows for less antenna gain compared to a directive-to-directive (D2D) mode. Hence, according to the present disclosure an association phase employing D2D yielding higher antenna gain in association phase is employed, thus increasing the AP coverage and enabling long range association and data transmission. Furthermore, double directive beamforming allows for spatial reuse during the association phase which can be exploited to reduce collision probability among STAs during association phase.

FIG. 4 depicts a diagram of several beacon transmission intervals (BTI) according to an aspect of this disclosure, i.e. shows the AP TX and STA RX training procedure (also called beacon transmission phase) assuming that the STA has N different receive patterns which it intends to train. Each DMG (directional multi-gigabit) beacon frame that is transmitted in a BTI uses a dedicated direction or sector (i.e. a dedicated transmit beam, also referred to as “third directive transmit beam” herein), which is signaled within the DMG beacon. Thus, a STA receiving a DMG beacon can retrieve the TX sector ID the AP used to transmit this particular beacon.

The first step of the operation in the BTI described above may remain unchanged at the AP side, i.e. the AP transmits identification data via various directive beams 40 (“third directive transmit beams”). In contrast to the known operation as described above, a STA listens with various directive receive beams 50 (“third directive receive beams”). Since the STA is not aligned to the frame structure at this point, a STA may apply its directive receive beam 50 for the duration of at least one beacon interval (BI). During the BI, the receive pattern shall be unchanged. The IEEE802.11ad standard defines the maximum duration of a BI up to 1000 ms, typical values are in the range of 100 ms. A STA listens continuously to the channel and applies thereby its directive receive patterns successively. After all directive receive patterns have been applied, either an AP has been detected (case A) or no AP has been detected (case B).

In case A, the STA intends to communicate in a double directive A-BFT (DD-A-BFT) phase and the STA saves the best AP transmit sector (e.g. as “second transmit beam information”, also referred to as TX_(AP)) and best STA receive sector (e.g. as “second receive beam information”, also referred to as RX_(STA)). The best sector can be determined by evaluating SNR, SINR, or link capacity for example.

A STA should only consider communicating within a DD-A-BFT under specific conditions: e.g., if (i) the received SNR with sectors TX_(AP) and RX_(STA) is below a threshold, or (ii) the data reception in previous BTI was not successful with a quasi-omni pattern, or (iii) the number of FailedRSSAttempts (number of unsuccessful association attempts) in regular A-BFT with quasi-omni pattern is above a threshold, or (iv) too many collisions arise in regular A-BFT triggering the need for spatial reuse in association phase. If the SNR is above this threshold, a STA shall consider a regular A-BFT. The threshold value in dB may be defined by

γ_(target) +D _(STA,RK) +D _(AP,TX) −D _(STA,TX) −D _(AP,RX)

Thereby, γ_(target) denotes the target SNR of the Control PHY MCS in dB, which is the most robust modulation coding scheme (MCS) and which is applied in beamforming training. Furthermore, D denotes the beam directivity in dB of either STA or AP in either TX or RX mode, respectively.

In case B, no AP has been detected and the STA may repeat the listening procedure with various directive beams continuously or at a later point in time.

It should be noted that the AP may perform no special operations during this training phase. The modifications are mainly on STA side. Therefore, this approach can reuse any BTI such as described in IEEE802.11ad and/or IEEE802.11ay BTI. No dedicated double directive or long range BTI is required. Given that spatial reuse is the main objective of a STA, it may receive with an omni-directional pattern during a single BTI phase like it is done according to IEEE802.11ad. Prerequisite is that the link budget is sufficient to overcome path loss.

In a second phase (also called association beamforming training phase), the STA TX and AP RX procedure takes place in various DD-A-BFT slots. During a single DD-A-BFT slot, the STA uses different transmit sectors, one for each SSW frame. The AP keeps its receiver pattern unchanged during an entire DD-A-BFT slot, i.e. each SSW frame transmitted by the STA within one DD-A-BFT slot shall be received by the AP with the same receive beam or RX sector, respectively. Each DD-A-BFT slot uses different AP receiver patterns. In contrast to known procedures, a STA transmits SSW frames in all DD-A-BFT slots in order to cover all possible beam combinations.

In case of reciprocity, the channel, the applied beams, and the antennas are independent and invariant with respect to the communication direction, i.e. TX and RX beams have same properties and are similar in point of main lobe directivity and HPBW; location of side lobes is not important as long as the side lobe attenuation is large enough). Channel reciprocity is a prerequisite for having beam and/or antenna reciprocity which is an implementation property. For this reason, beam and/or antenna reciprocity can be either on STA and/or AP side or it is not available at all, i.e. this property is device specific. In order to keep the notation simple, the term reciprocity is used in the following. In case of single antenna systems, reciprocity includes channel and beam reciprocity. In case of multi-antenna systems antenna reciprocity is an additional prerequisite.

First, the case shall be considered where reciprocity is available neither at AP nor at STA side. FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a first embodiment of association beamforming training with a single STA. In each of the DD-A-BFT slots, the AP listens with a directive beam 60, 62, respectively (“first directive receive beam”). Each DD-A-BFT slot may have a different beam 60, 62 (it may be beneficial to use same receive beam in various DD-A-BFT slots, as will be explained later).

The STA is transmitting several SSW frames within one or more A-BFT slots, starting from the first A-BFT slot of the DD-A-BFT. In each DD-A-BFT slot, a STA can sweep through M different transmit patterns, i.e. use different directive beams 70 (“first directive transmit beams”). Thereby each SSW frame holds information about the best received AP transmit sector (TX_(AP), “second transmit beam information”) determined in the BTI phase (see FIG. 4) and the current transmit sector of the STA. In order to receive the SSW feedback (“response”), a STA uses its best RX beam 71 as indicated by RX_(STA) (“second receive beam information”) determined earlier in the BTI phase.

The number of slots N and the number M of SSW frames per slot may be signaled in the beacon interval control field (see below) and determined by the AP. In case a STA supports less than M transmit sectors, it shall stop transmission within the current slot after having completed all its transmit patterns and continue in the next DD-A-BFT slot if necessary. In case a STA supports more than M transmit sectors, it shall transmit only M selected sectors within a slot. The selection procedure is STA specific and may comprise an angular interpolation between available sectors.

In terms of the SSW feedback, the following rules are preferably applied in an embodiment:

1. If the AP was able to decode a SSW frame sent by a STA, it transmits a SSW feedback (“response”), preferably with TX sector information data contained in the SSW frame (TX_(STA), “first transmit beam information”) and using a directive transmit beam 61 indicated by TX_(AP) (“second transmit beam information”). 2. A SSW feedback is not sent if there has been no decodable SSW frame or if several STAs have been received simultaneously (collision). A collision is defined as a SSW frame received from at least two STAs simultaneously. More than one valid SSW frame reception from more than one STAs within a DD-A-BFT slot is not considered to be a collision but as feedback congestion. It shall be noted that some standards define a collision as two STAs using the same A-BFT slot even though the STAs access different SSW frames. 3. In case more than one SSW frames from more than one different STAs have been received during a DD-A-BFT slot (feedback congestion), the SSW feedback is addressed to the strongest STA. Pending SSW feedbacks may be addressed in future DD-A-BFT slots within same DD-A-BFT. In this case the same rule of sending the SSW feedback to the strongest STA applies. At the end of a DD-A-BFT phase, all pending SSW feedbacks shall be neglected. 4. In case a STA received a SSW feedback, it stops transmitting in further DD-A-BFT slots within the current BTI. This is to ensure that DD-A-BFT slots can be used for further stations to associate. 5. In case a STA received no feedback it may schedule transmission in a further DD-A-BFT slot but keeps listening to the channel during all SSW feedback phases of same DD-A-BFT phase. This is to ensure that a STA can receive a SSW feedback frame at a later point in time in case of feedback congestion.

In FIG. 5 it is assumed that the AP receives a valid SSW frame in the N^(th) DD-A-BFT slot. Therefore, there is only one SSW feedback sent at the end of the N^(th) DD-A-BFT slot.

In contrast to known operations, where STAs choose randomly a single A-BFT slot for doing their sector sweep (in case a STA cannot finish its sector sweep, it may continue in the next slot), STAs transmit in some embodiments from the beginning of the first DD-A-BFT slot. The likelihood of a collision is reduced by the fact that the AP uses directive receive beams, instead of an omni-directional pattern. A collision arises if within one SSW frame interval of one DD-A-BFT slot signals from two or more STAs have been received with similar power. Since the AP applies directive receive patterns, collision probability is lower compared to quasi-omni reception.

The above rule 3 applies, if the AP received more than one valid SSW frame from more than one STA. Because two frames have not been received at the same time, it is not a collision. At this point, the AP should send two SSW feedbacks which may be not possible (as in IEEE 802.11ad specification) leading to feedback congestion which needs to be resolved. Therefore, the AP transmits to the STA received strongest (in terms of SNR, SINR, or capacity for example) and the AP uses one of the upcoming SSW feedback opportunities to address the weak STA. Alternatively, frame structures to allow for simultaneous feedback to multiple STAs can be envisioned. In this case, the SSW feedback may be sent simultaneously to all or a set of the STAs that were received within the same DD-A-BFT slot.

FIG. 6 shows a diagram of a second embodiment of association beamforming training with a two STAs associating simultaneously. It is assumed that STA 1 and STA 2 have been able to associate in the first and second DD-A-BFT slot, respectively. If a SSW feedback has been received, both AP and STAs have knowledge of the best TX and RX sector ID to use for subsequent communications. Note that only TX sector information is required to be exchanged between AP and STA during SSW frames and SSW feedback, respectively.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, in a first sector sweep STA1 uses first directive transmit beams 70, STA2 uses first directive transmit beams 80 and AP listens using a first directive receive beam 60. Preferably, in the first directive transmit beams 70 and 80 the information about the best third transmit beam used by the AP in the beacon transmission interval for the respective STA (i.e. TX_(AP)(STA1) and TX_(AP)(STA2), “second transmit beam information”) is included.

If during the first sweep the AP received a valid SSW frame only from STA1, it sends a SSW feedback (“response”) that is addressed to STA1 using a second directive transmit beam 61 indicated by the second transmit beam information TX_(AP)(STA1) from STA1. Simultaneously, STA1 and STA2 listen with the respective second directive receive beam 71, 81 indicated by the second receive beam information RX_(STA1) and RX_(STA2). Since the SSW feedback is addressed to STA1, e.g. by including a corresponding identifier such as MAC address, AID (association identifier), or pre-AID, STA1 now knows its best sector (i.e. its best directive transmit beam) to use for subsequent communication since this information is included in the SSW feedback transmitted with 61. STA1 can now stop transmitting SSW frames in subsequent slots.

Subsequently, in a second sector sweep, STA2 uses first directive transmit beams 80 AP listens using a first directive receive beam 62. If the AP received a valid SSW frame from STA2 it sends a SSW feedback (“response”) that is addressed to STA2 and uses a second directive transmit beam 63 indicated by the second transmit beam information TX_(AP)(STA2) from STA2. Simultaneously, STA2 listens with the respective second directive receive beam 81 indicated by the second receive beam information RX_(STA2). Since the SSW feedback is addressed to STA2, e.g. by including a corresponding identifier, STA2 now knows its best sector (i.e. its best directive transmit beam) to use for subsequent communication since this information is included in the SSW feedback 63. STA2 can now stop transmitting SSW frames in subsequent slots.

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of a third embodiment of association beamforming training with two STAs employing reciprocity. In this case, a STA has already the information about its best TX beam namely the best RX beam, i.e. TX_(STA)=RX_(STA) (equal sign should be interpreted as described above). In this case, a STA transmits randomly only one SSW frame within each DD-A-BFT slot using TX_(STA)=RX_(STA). This is to vacate the DD-A-BFT slots for other STAs competing for association in the same BI. FIG. 7 shows the basic procedure for two STAs (no collision or feedback congestion assumed). Dashed SSW frames indicate frames that are not transmitted but are virtual placeholders (SSW frame transmit opportunities).

Furthermore, if it is known by the STA when the AP uses a particular received pattern and if the AP features reciprocity, it transmits only one SSW frame in each DD-A-BFT slot where the AP receives with the desired receive beam. Since the STA knows best TX_(AP) sector, it is also aware of the best RX_(AP) sector (TX_(AP)=RX_(AP)). If the sweep sequence of TX and RX beams is equal, the STA can predict, when the AP applies the appropriate receive pattern in DD-A-BFT. Alternatively, the Rx sectors, which the AP is going to use in DD-A-BFT, can be signaled within the DMG beacon. In this case, a single STA can occupy randomly even only one SSW slot within all DD-A-BFT slots during a BI. However, for more robustness, a single STA can occupy several SSW slots in order to train more (e.g. neighboring) RX sectors at AP and/or it can use more SSW frames within a slot in order to train more of its own TX sectors (e.g. TX sectors that are neighbors of the RX sectors on which the highest SNR was received during the AP SSW in BTI).

If the AP features reciprocity but the STA does not, a STA transmits only in that single slot where the AP applies the appropriate receive sector, i.e. RX_(AP)=TX_(AP). This requires the STA to be aware in which slot the AP applies a dedicated receive sector.

It should be noted that all four variants—no reciprocity, STA reciprocity, AP reciprocity, AP and STA reciprocity—can be applied independently and simultaneously. There is no requirement that all associating STAs have same properties or access rules.

In current IEEE 802.11ad specification, an AP supports only a round-trip-time delay of 1 μs, which corresponds to a maximum range of 150 m. It is proposed to change this value to multiples of 1 μs using e.g. the “Coverage Class field” as defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard. At the moment this field is not applicable for mmWave communication.

All variable parameters may be signaled in the Beacon Interval Control field shown in FIG. 8, which is part of DMG beacon frame body. For example: A-BFT length field indicates the number of A-BFT slots (1 up to 8); FSS indicates the number of SSW frame slots within one A-BFT slot (1 up to 16); Next A-BFT field indicates the number of BI during which the A-BFT is not present; N BIs A-BFT field indicates the interval, in number of beacon intervals, at which the AP allocates an A-BFT. All other fields are described the IEEE 802.11 standard.

For DD-A-BFT, the minimal change required is an indication if the upcoming A-BFT is a DD-A-BFT. It is proposed to use a single bit of the reserved bits (B44 to B47 in FIG. 8) to indicate a DD-A-BFT.

A further option to signal a DD-A-BFT is to add a further control field in the DMG beacon frame body shown in FIG. 9. The DMG beacon frame body can hold several partly optional signaling fields and therefore its length is variable. Thus, several options to signal a DD-A-BFT can be possibly implemented:

-   -   Introduction of a simple DD-A-BFT control field with the         structure show in FIG. 10.     -   DD-A-BFT length field indicates the number of DD-A-BFT slots (1         up to 8).     -   FSS field indicates the number of SSW frame slots within one         DD-A-BFT slot (1 up to 16).     -   Next DD-A-BFT field indicates the number of BI during which the         DD-A-BFT is not present.     -   DD-A-BFT count field indicates the number of DD-A-BFTs since the         STA sending the DMG Beacon frame last switched RX DMG antennas         for a DD-A-BFT. A value of 0 indicates that the DMG antenna used         in the forthcoming DD-A-BFT differs from the DMG antenna used in         the last DD-A-BFT.     -   N-DD-A-BFT in Ant field indicates how many A-BFTs the STA         sending the DMG Beacon frame receives from each DMG antenna.     -   Introduction of an advanced DD-A-BFT control field (see FIG.         11), which enables the AP to use several DD-A-BFT phases to         train all receive sectors in case number of beams to be tested         is larger than the number of DD-A-BFT slots as signaled in         DD-A-BFT length field. This is indicated by ‘fragmented DD-A-BFT         bit. The number of required DD-A-BFT slots is indicated by         ‘DD-A-BFT span’.

If it is assumed that there is a total of N non-overlapping receive patterns, each receive pattern can contribute a gain of roughly 10 log₁₀N dB of link budget which results in √N fold link distance according to the free space path loss formula for example.

Further if N different non-overlapping receive patterns are assumed, collision probability of STAs joining at same time can be reduced by factor N, if STAs are assumed to be equally spatially distributed.

By use communication devices and methods according to the present disclosure several advantages can be achieved. In particular: long range AP discovery for mmWave systems; increase of roughly 10 log₁₀ M dB in link budget in association phase; improved channel access in case of reciprocity; and spatial reuse in association phase, i.e. spatial beam properties are exploited for association phase

Thus, the foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting of the scope of the disclosure, as well as other claims. The disclosure, including any readily discernible variants of the teachings herein, defines, in part, the scope of the foregoing claim terminology such that no inventive subject matter is dedicated to the public.

In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

In so far as embodiments of the disclosure have been described as being implemented, at least in part, by software-controlled data processing apparatus, it will be appreciated that a non-transitory machine-readable medium carrying such software, such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk, semiconductor memory or the like, is also considered to represent an embodiment of the present disclosure. Further, such a software may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.

The elements of the disclosed devices, apparatus and systems may be implemented by corresponding hardware and/or software elements, for instance appropriated circuits. A circuit is a structural assemblage of electronic components including conventional circuit elements, integrated circuits including application specific integrated circuits, standard integrated circuits, application specific standard products, and field programmable gate arrays. Further a circuit includes central processing units, graphics processing units, and microprocessors which are programmed or configured according to software code. A circuit does not include pure software, although a circuit includes the above-described hardware executing software.

It follows a list of further embodiments of the disclosed subject matter:

-   1. A communication device (1) for RF-based communication with     another communication device (2), said communication device (1)     comprising:     -   an antenna circuitry (10) configured to transmit and receive RF         signals, and     -   a beamforming circuitry (11) configured to perform beamforming         and to control the antenna circuitry in a beamforming training         phase to transmit and/or receive RF signals using one or more         selected directive beams, wherein the beamforming circuitry (11)         is configured to perform beamforming training by controlling the         antenna circuitry     -   i) to transmit data using at least one first directive transmit         beam, wherein the other communication device (2) is configured         to listen using a first directive receive beam, said data         including a second transmit beam information, and     -   ii) to subsequently listen using a predetermined second         directive receive beam for a response from the other         communication device (2), which is configured to transmit, if         the data transmitted in step i) have been received, a response         using a second directive transmit beam indicated by the second         transmit beam information. -   2. The communication device as defined in any one of the preceding     embodiments, wherein the beamforming circuitry (11) is configured to     control the antenna circuitry to successively transmit the data in     step i) with a number of different first directive transmit beams. -   3. The communication device as defined in embodiment 2,     wherein the beamforming circuitry (11) is configured to control the     antenna circuitry to transmit a predefined number of first directive     beams as signaled by the other communication device in a previous     training phase or a beacon transmission phase. -   4. The communication device as defined in embodiment 2 or 3,     wherein the beamforming circuitry (11) is configured to obtain from     the response received in step ii) a first transmit beam information     indicating at least one of the first directive transmit beams by     which the data, which have been received by the second communication     device (2), have been transmitted by the communication device (1). -   5. The communication device as defined in any one of the preceding     embodiments, wherein the beamforming circuitry (11) is configured to     control the antenna circuitry to transmit the data in step i) with a     single first directive transmit beam. -   6. The communication device as defined in embodiment 5,     wherein the beamforming circuitry (11) is configured to control the     antenna circuitry to transmit the data in step i) with the same or     different single first directive transmit beams in subsequent     iterations of step i). -   7. The communication device as defined in embodiment 5 or 6,     wherein the beamforming circuitry (11) is configured to control the     antenna circuitry to use the same beam as first directive transmit     beam and second directive receive beam. -   8. The communication device as defined in any one of the preceding     embodiments, wherein the beamforming circuitry (11) is configured to     decide in step ii) that a response has been received if it includes     a first identifier of the communication device (1). -   9. The communication device as defined in any one of the preceding     embodiments, wherein the beamforming circuitry (11) is configured to     control the antenna circuitry to carry out, in a beacon transmission     phase prior to the beamforming training phase, the steps of     a) listening using a third receive beam while the other     communication device (2) transmits a second identifier of the other     communication device (2) subsequently using different third     directive transmit beams, and     b) setting, once the second identifier has been received, the third     directive transmit beam used for transmitting the second identifier     as second directive transmit beam indicated by the second transmit     beam information. -   10. The communication device as defined in embodiment 9, wherein the     beamforming circuitry (11) is configured to control the antenna     circuitry     -   to listen, in step a), by successively using different third         directive receive beams, while in each succession the other         communication device (2) subsequently uses different third         directive transmit beams and     -   by setting, in step b), the third directive receive beam with         which the second identifier has been received, as second         directive receive beam. -   11. A communication method for RF-based communication with another     communication device (2), said communication method controlling an     antenna circuitry in a beamforming training phase to transmit and/or     receive RF signals using one or more selected directive beams by -   i) transmitting data using at least one first directive transmit     beam, wherein the other communication device (2) is configured to     listen using a first directive receive beam, said data including a     second transmit beam information, and -   ii) subsequently listening using a predetermined second directive     receive beam for a response from the other communication device (2),     which is configured to transmit, if the data transmitted in step i)     have been received, a response using a second directive transmit     beam indicated by the second transmit beam information. -   12. A communication device (2) for RF-based communication with     another communication device (1), said communication device (2)     comprising:     -   an antenna circuitry (20) configured to transmit and receive RF         signals, and     -   a beamforming circuitry (21) configured to perform beamforming         and to control the antenna circuitry, in a beamforming training         phase, to transmit and/or receive RF signals using one or more         selected directive beams, wherein the beamforming circuitry (21)         is configured to perform beamforming training by controlling the         antenna circuitry     -   i) to listen using a first directive receive beam for data         transmitted by the other communication device (1) using at least         one first directive transmit beam, said data including a second         transmit beam information, and     -   ii) to subsequently transmit, if the data transmitted in step i)         have been received, a response using a second directive transmit         beam indicated by the second transmit beam information, wherein         the other communication device (1) is configured to listen using         a predetermined second directive receive beam. -   13. The communication device as defined in embodiment 12,     wherein the beamforming circuitry (21) is configured to include in     the response a first transmit beam information indicating the first     directive transmit beam by which the data, which have been received     by the communication device (2), have been transmitted by the other     communication device (1). -   14. The communication device as defined in embodiment 12 or 13,     wherein the beamforming circuitry (21) is configured to control the     antenna circuitry to include in the response a first identifier of     the other communication device (1) from which the data have been     received. -   15. The communication device as defined in embodiment 14,     wherein the beamforming circuitry (21) is configured to control the     antenna circuitry to include in the response a first identifier of     another communication device from which the data have been received     with highest quality or SNR. -   16. The communication device as defined in any one of the     embodiments 12 to 15,     wherein the beamforming circuitry (21) is configured to control the     antenna circuitry to transmit a response only if data have been     received in step i) with a quality or SNR above a predetermined     threshold. -   17. The communication device as defined in any one of the     embodiments 12 to 15,     wherein the beamforming circuitry (21) is configured to control the     antenna circuitry to perform beacon transmission, prior to     beamforming training, by transmitting a second identifier of the     second communication device (2) subsequently using different third     directive transmit beams, while the other communication device (1)     is configured to listen using a third receive beam. -   18. The communication device as defined in any one of the     embodiments 12 to 15,     wherein the beamforming circuitry (21) is configured to maintain an     ordered list of other communication devices and their respective     first transmit beam information from which data have successfully     been received and/or wherein the beamforming circuitry (21) is     configured to control the antenna circuitry to include in the     response one identifier and first transmit beam information of the     ordered list while removing this data from the ordered list. -   19. A communication method for RF-based communication with another     communication device (1), said communication method controlling an     antenna circuitry, in a beamforming training phase, to transmit     and/or receive RF signals using one or more selected directive beams     by     i) listening using a first directive receive beam for data     transmitted by the other communication device (1) using at least one     first directive transmit beam, said data including a second transmit     beam information, and     ii) subsequently transmitting, if the data transmitted in step i)     have been received, a response using a second directive transmit     beam indicated by the second transmit beam information, wherein the     other communication device (1) is configured to listen using a     predetermined second directive receive beam. -   20. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium that stores     therein a computer program product, which, when executed by a     processor, causes the method according to embodiment 11 or 19 to be     performed. -   21. A computer program comprising program code means for causing a     computer to perform the steps of said method according to embodiment     11 or 19 when said computer pro-gram is carried out on a computer. -   22. The communication device as defined in any one of embodiments 1     to 10,     wherein the beamforming circuitry (11) is configured to repeat     steps i) and ii) if no response is received in step ii). -   23. The communication device as defined in any one of embodiments 12     to 18,     wherein the beamforming circuitry (21) is configured to repeat     steps i) and ii) by using different first predetermined directive     receive beams in step i).

The present application claims priority to European Patent Application 16195985.3 filed by the European Patent Office on Oct. 27, 2016, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein by reference. 

1. A communication device for RF-based communication with another communication device, said communication device comprising: an antenna circuitry configured to transmit and receive RF signals, and a beamforming circuitry configured to perform beamforming and to control the antenna circuitry in a beamforming training phase to transmit and/or receive RF signals using one or more selected directive beams, wherein the beamforming circuitry is configured to perform beamforming training by controlling the antenna circuitry i) to transmit data using at least one first directive transmit beam, wherein the other communication device is configured to listen using a first directive receive beam, said data including a second transmit beam information, and ii) to subsequently listen using a predetermined second directive receive beam for a response from the other communication device, which is configured to transmit, if the data transmitted in step i) have been received, a response using a second directive transmit beam indicated by the second transmit beam information. 